Kirby Smart clarifies comments on COVID concern
Earlier this week, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart addressed his concern about COVID-19 within his program. On Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Smart clarified those concerns, something that should make Bulldog fans feel a lot better about the situation.
“What I said was that we had the highest amount that we’ve had since the beginning of fall camp, and that is a spike,” Smart said. “That is staff and players combined. The total number is not over five. But that’s staff and players. I think that got blown way, way out of proportion. A spike to me is zero to five, but, that’s staff and players included.”
Georgia’s first run in with COVID came late last week ahead of the season-opener against Clemson. Director of Sports Medicine Ron Courson tested positive and did not make the trip with the Bulldogs to Charlotte. Smart was asked for an update on Courson’s status earlier this week, and in doing so, his original comments made headlines.
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“I’ll be honest with you guys, I’m as concerned as I’ve ever been and because we have three or four guys out with COVID and we have a couple staff members that have been out with covid here recently,” Smart said. “For us, we’re at our highest spike. People are talking about vaccination. These are people who are vaccinated. We’re talking about break throughs. So that concerns you not only for the players on your team that are unvaccinated that are playing and not playing cause we want everybody to be safe but it concerns me for the players that are vaccinated. That we could lose them. It’s at the highest it’s been since fall camp right now. Think there is this relief that everyone feel like everything is back to normal. Just not for us right now.”
Vaccine rates and testing protocol
Previously, Smart stated that his team is above 90% for vaccination rate. He would like to get everybody on the team vaccinated. Several key players have also come forward about receiving their vaccine already. The SEC policy for vaccinations and COVID test states that fully vaccinated individuals who are without symptoms are not subject to contact tracing.
